Alasoadura, Mimiko, Akinyelure jostle for Ondo Central Senatorial slot
By: Bisi Olominu
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Three candidates-Senator Donald Omotayo Alasoadura of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Mimiko of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Ayo Akinyelure of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – are contesting for the Senate in Ondo Central Senatorial District. Who wins? In this write up, Bisi Olominu examines their chances at the poll and issues that will shape the exercise.
The three politicians contesting for the Senate in Ondo Central of the state in the coming 2019 general elections are popular in the zone. They have made their marks in their chosen fields, now, they want to test their popularity at the poll. Two have been in the Senate before and the third one was a former Governor of the state for two terms, first in the history of the state.
Senator Donald Tayo Alasoadura got a return ticket to fly the banner of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, after a primary that nearly torn the party apart. He will be contesting for the second term. The Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has his work cut out for he has to sweat it out with two heavyweight. Olusegun Mimiko on his part wanted to contest for the president of the nation, but having seen the handwriting of his failure cornered his political son, Gboye Adegbenro, former Commissioner for Works in his government and retrieved the party’s senatorial ticket. Ayo Akinyelure on his party fought for PDP ticket with the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Oluwateru Omolade and won with the connivance of Akure delegates who were said to have been bought over by the late Asiwaju of Akureland, Prof. Agbi. Agbi according to a source was said to have instructed his men to vote for Akinyelure, this according to the late Professor, would serve as payback to the former deputy Governor who did not support his senatorial ambition in 2007.
Ondo Central Senatorial District is made up of six councils. They are Akure South, Akure North, Ondo West, Ondo East, Idanre and Ifedore.
According to stakeholders, the real battle is between the current senator, Tayo Alasoadura and the former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko. when Mimiko had not entered the race, Alasoaduro was coasting home to victory as his opponent Ayo Akinyelure was seen as a lightweight. Akinyelure was seen not to be a perfect march for the contest, because he is relatively new in Ondo politics compared with the other two contestants. Akinyelure may have the financial war chest but, he is not perceived as a threat to either the APC or ZLP candidate.
But, Alasoadura and Mimiko are in a familiar terrain. The two gladiators have been in politics since their university days and the coming contest will be a battle of grit, money and influence.
Akinyelure was a former Senator between 2011-2015, but was swept away by the tsunami that brought in President Mohammadu Buhari in 2015. When he was in the Senate, he used the opportunity to empower people of Idanre alone, left people from Akure North and South, Ondo East and West and Ifedore to rue the day he was voted for at the National Assembly. A source said that 80 percent of those he empowered are from Idanre. His albatross is that Idanre cannot produce the senator and House of Representatives member at the same time. The former Commissioner for Information, Akinmade contesting under the same PDP with him is a minus. One will not be voted for as Idanre will not like to put their eggs in two baskets. What will also work against Akinyelure is that both Akinmade and him are from Odode, in the coming election, one must indeed give way. His support of child marriage while at the National Assembly will work again him as women would use this to campaign against him.
Again, the people of Ifedore, having Ibuji, Ilara, Ijare, Isharun and Igbara Oke will like to follow Akure because of their historical and traditional background, and the people these towns will like to vote for Alasoadura.
Another thing that will work against him is the factor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Ade Adetimehin. The Chairman and the Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi would like to prove a point that their party is in power. If they loose the coming elections, then they are not relevant politically.
Although, the former Chief of Staff to Mimiko, Dr. Kola Ademujimi has been off the raider politically, even his factor could not be determined because nobody knows where he really belong and party he is working for. But he could work for Mimiko because of his chummy relationship.
In Ifedore, Akinyelure would not make any inroad, but the state Chairman of PDP, Clement Faboyede will make him to get a meagre votes. All in all, Akinyelure will just participate in the election, but could not win the election.
The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is believed to have Ondo State under his belt, but the likes of Johnson, Bademosi and Fagbemi will give him problem in Ondo. These people will reduce his influence in winning the two local governments convincingly.
Adding to this is that his foot soldiers like Akinsoyinu, Adeniyi, Fayase, Siji Akindiose and several others are not with him in ZLP. The All Progressives Congress (APC) will have its influence too in Ondo West and East, with people like Fagbemi, Fayase, Fawehinmi and several others in APC, the party will have at least 25percent. All the people mentioned working against Mimiko will make him to be in a problem. To prosecute his campaign, Mimiko will run into serious problem because the largesse is no longer there. This is where Alasoadura is having a serious edge.
It is believed that Alasoadura will have a field day and control the largest chunk of votes in Akure South and North with the array of Commissioners ,Special Advisers and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) coming from the district. People like the Commissioner for Sports, Saka Ogunleye, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Wumi Edet, Special Adviser to the Governor on Utilities, Ariyomo ,the SSG, Abena Abegunde and several others in government will work for Alasoadura.
Again, taking into consideration that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held same day, it is likely that Alasoadura will coast home to victory. Adding to this is his popularity and achievements while in government as the Commissioner for Finance and currently as a Senator where he empowered market men and women, students and many in his constituency will work for him to win the election. The achievements of a member of the House of Representatives, Afe Olowokere will work for Senator Alasoadura.
However, he has to settle scores with his family, mostly Farukanmi, Dele Fagoriola and some others he allegedly offended. In some quarters, Fagoriola sentenced to prison was alleged to have been the handiwork of Alasoadura.
Alasoadura as a serving Senator is a politician of note in the state. As a former Commissioner for Finance, he used the office to empower many, this will work for him. Addition to this is that he has the war chest to prosecute the election.
The battle ground will be Ifedore Local government area and the battle is between Alasoadura and Mimiko. One thing that will work for Alasoadura is that both Akure and Ifedore are traditionally allied and connected. Furthermore, Gboye Adegbenro, former Commissioner for Works under Mimiko will not like to work for Mimiko with the way and manner he hijacked ZLP senatorial ticket from him. With the analysis, Senator Tayo Alasoadura will win the February 2019 election.